Grapevine denominated &#39;sheegene-1&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of grapevine which is somewhat remotely similar to the ‘Crimson’ grapevine (not patented), but from which it is distinguished by producing fruit which are mature for harvesting and shipment approximately two (2) to three (3) weeks prior to the fruit produced by the ‘Crimson’ grapevine (not patented) and wherein the fruit are seedless berries which are juicy with an excellent flavor, red skin coloration and a moderately firm and tough skin. The berries of the new variety are borne on strong, woody stems which are well adapted to commercial handling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Vitis vinifera

SPECIFICATION Background of the New Variety

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofgrapevine, which will hereinafter be denominated varietally as the‘Sheegene-1’ grapevine, and, more particularly, to a grapevine whichproduces grapes, which are mature for commercial harvesting and shipmentapproximately September 16^(th) through September 30^(th) in the SanJoaquin Valley of central Calif. The present variety produces large,seedless berries with a sweet flavor and red coloration over the entireberry.

The discovery or hybridization and development of new plant varieties isa process which requires arduous efforts over many years by skilledexperts. This expertise requires not only acute powers of observation,but also the capability of dependably asexually reproducing the selectednew variety. The asexually reproduced plants must be observed over manyyears of growth in order to confirm that they are identical to theparent. Such monitoring of the plants is also required to confirm thatthey possess the attributes desired for commercial development.

These assiduous efforts are required for all new plant varieties whichare considered for commercial development, but are particularlyimportant in the case of grapevines. Grapevines are, in addition to themore common maladies, subject to diseases, pests, climatic variationsand may be adversely affected by a lack of proper husbandry. This lattercondition may result from the fact that grapevines normally require anumber of steps throughout the year in order to produce a commerciallyviable crop. Where all of these steps are not taken or they areinadequately performed, the crop will suffer.

For these reasons and others, a great many new varieties of grapevineshave been developed throughout history which possess those attributeswhich are considered improvements over previously known varieties. Suchdevelopment of new varieties has accelerated as the commercial value ofgrapes rapidly increased. Accordingly, the characteristics of grapeswhich are appealing to the consumer are sought after in the developmentof new varieties. Such characteristics for the fruit as size, color,flavor, whether seeded or seedless, shipping and handling quality andthe like are sought after.

The new variety of grapevine of the present invention has been found topossess a promising combination of these characteristics for commercialdevelopment, as will hereinafter be set forth in greater detail.

Origin and Asexual Reproduction of the New Variety

The new variety is the result of hybridization of the ‘Princess’grapevine (not patented), the pollen parent, with the ‘Red Globe’grapevine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,787), the seed parent, in 2000. The newvariety was first planted in 2001. The first flowering was produced in2003. The new variety was then asexually propagated in the spring of2004 and grafted on to Thompson 2A, virus free, rootstock. Twograpevines of the new variety were planted in a variety lot block ofVitis vinifera located near the town of McFarland in the San JoaquinValley of central Calif., United States of America. The asexuallyreproduced grapevines of the subject invention first produced fruit in2005. The inventor has observed the grapevine of the subject inventionand has confirmed that the asexually reproduced grapevines are identicalto the parent grapevine in all respects.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The grapevine of the present invention is characterized by producing alarge, dark red, seedless grape which has very good external colorationand excellent flavor and is mature for commercial harvesting andshipment approximately September 16^(th) through September 30^(th) inthe San Joaquin Valley of central Calif. The new variety of grapevine ismost closely similar to the ‘Crimson’ grapevine (not patented), but isdistinguishable therefrom by the aforementioned ripening date, which istwo (2) to three (3) weeks before that of the ‘Crimson’ grapevine (notpatented), and by producing grapes with more overall red coloration andmore flavor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is a color photograph which displays representative portionsof the new variety of grapevine hereof in the upper portion showingthree mature leaves positioned from left to right to show the uppersurfaces of the first two leaves and the third positioned to show thelower surface thereof; in the center of the photograph a mature clusterof berries; in the right center of the photograph secondary growthclusters; immediately below the mature clusters of berries, berries areshown which are sectioned longitudinally and in cross section displayingthe flesh thereof; in the bottom portion of the photograph, youngerleaves are positioned to show the upper and lower surfaces thereof; andon the far left of the photograph is a mature cane, all of the newvariety of grapevine of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the botanical details of this new anddistinct variety of grapevine, the following has been observed under theecological conditions prevailing at the vineyard of origin which islocated near the town of McFarland in the San Joaquin Valley of centralCalif., United States of America. All major color code designations areby reference to the Dictionary of Color, by Maerz and Paul, FirstEdition, 1930. Common color names are also occasionally employed.

VINE

-   Generally:    -   -   Size.—Large for 3-year-old vine.        -   Vigor.—Very good.        -   Chilling requirements.—Normal for grapes in the San Joaquin            Valley of central Calif.        -   Productive capacity.—Very good.        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.13 Large, 16.3 cm (6.3 inches) circumference, measured            45.72 cm (18 inches) above ground.        -   Surface texture.—Shaggy, rough.        -   Color.—Inner Bark — P1.17 E9 Kaffa, Hamptead Brown.        -   Canes.—Moderate to large in length. Length — 36.83 cm (14.5            inches) long.        -   Mature canes.—Color — P1.7 L6 India Red, Aralian Red and Red            Robbin.        -   Nodes.—Number — 6 on mature canes.        -   Length between nodes.—9.22 cm (3.63 inches).        -   Lenticels.— Numbers — Few, 5 to 7 between nodes. Size —            Variable, 0.41 cm (0.16 inch) to 1.3 cm (0.51 inch).        -   Shoots.— Size — Medium. Length — Variable. Shape — Somewhat            stocky. Contour — Somewhat drooping.        -   Tendrils.— Number — Very few between nodes. Length — Near            nodes — Variable, 6.48 cm (2.55 inches) to 18.01 cm (7.09            inches). Location — At nodes. Form — Bifurcated and in some            cases trifurcated. Texture — Woody.        -   Buds.— Shape — Slightly pointed. Size — Length — 1.32 cm            (0.52 inch). Width — 0.81 cm (0.32 inch). Fruitfulness —            Very good.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium, 8.51 cm (3.35 inches) measured 35 cm (13.78            inches) from trunk.        -   Surface texture.—Slightly rough.        -   Color.— One year or older wood — P1.6 J10 Spanish Cedar.            Immature branches — P1.19 L5 Cosse gr.        -   Surface texture.—Immature growth — Smooth.        -   Lenticels.— Numbers — 0.

LEAVES

-   -   -   Size.—Generally — Medium.        -   Density.—Dense.        -   Size.—Mature Leaf — Average Length — 13.56 cm (5.34 inches).            Average Width — 16 cm (6.3 inches).        -   Form.—Pentagonal.        -   Texture.— Upper Surface — Smooth. Lower Surface — Smooth.        -   Color.— Upwardly Disposed Surface — P1.22 L7 Art gr.            Downwardly Disposed Surface — P1.20 G6 Pea Green. Leaf Vein            — P1.20 K6 Piquant gr.        -   Marginal form.—Generally — Involute.        -   Leaf vein.—Thickness — 0.2 cm (0.08 inch).        -   Leaf margin.—Slightly undulate.        -   Glands.—None.        -   Petiole.— Size — Medium. Length — Average 0.76 cm (0.3            inch). Thickness — Average 0.2 cm (0.08 inch). Color — P1.20            K6 Piquant gr.        -   Petiole sinus.—Form — V-shape.        -   Stem glands.—Absent.        -   Stipules.— Size — Large. Length — 0.41 cm (0.16 inch). Width            — 0.41 cm (0.16 inch). Color — P1.56 J12 Port Wine.        -   Lobes.—Normally 3, sometimes 4.        -   Teeth.— Size — Length — 0.51 cm (0.2 inch). Width — 0.51 cm            (0.2 inch). Number — 3 between lobes. Shape — Convex.

INFLORESCENCE

-   -   -   Size.—15.01 cm (5.91 inches).        -   Number borne per spur.—1 to 2.        -   Number borne per vine.—Many.

FLOWERS

-   -   -   Flower buds.— Size — Small. Surface Texture — Glabrous.        -   Flowers.—Generally — Heavy. Date of Bloom — May 15, 2006.            Date of Full Bloom — May 18, 2006. Size — average 0.51 cm            (0.2 inch).        -   Petals.— Color — P1.7 H6 Peony Burmese Ruby +. Size — Small,            less than 0.06 cm (0.02 inch).        -   Pistils.—Color — P1.17 L3 Endive.        -   Date of visible berries set.—May 19, 2006.        -   Size.—Generally — 0.18 cm (0.07 inch).

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment    approximately September 15^(th) through September 30^(th) in the San    Joaquin Valley of central Calif. in a normal year.    -   -   Solids.—19.6.        -   Acid.—0.37.        -   Sugar/acid ratio.—Well balanced, 53.7.        -   Juice ph.—4.24.        -   Seeds.— None.        -   Capstem.—Pedicel — Size — Length — 0.2 cm (0.08 inch). Width            — 0.51 cm (0.2 inch). Color — P1.22 L4 Cerro.        -   Berry.—Weight — Approximately 11.34 grams (0.4 oz.).        -   Juice color.—P1.4 G1 Livid V.-   Size:    -   -   Cluster.— Size — Generally — Medium to large. Average Length            — 29.97 cm (11.8 inches). Average Width — 13 cm (5.12            inches). Weight — 718.956 grams (25.36 oz.). Compactness —            Compact. Form — Conical.        -   Stem.—Generally — Size — Average 0.81 cm (0.32 inch).            Caliper — Average 0.2 cm (0.08 inch).        -   Berry.— Size — Generally — Large. Form — Ovate to obtuse            ovate. Number — Approximately 155 berries per bunch. Size —            Average Dimension in longitudinal axis — 2.84 cm (1.11            inches) to 3 cm (1.18 inches). Average Dimension in axis            transverse to longitudinal axis — 2.01 cm (0.79 inch).-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Texture.—Tough.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.— Blush Color — P1.54 L12 De'Medici. Ground Color —            None.        -   Pulp.—Clear.        -   Lenticels.—None.-   Flesh:    -   -   Flesh color.—From clear to P1.5 L5 Cardinal.        -   Juice production.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Excellent.        -   Aroma.—Mild.        -   Texture.—Semi tough.        -   Ripening.—Even.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent.-   Use: Fresh market — Table grape.-   Keeping quality: Very good.-   Resistance to disease: Unknown.-   Harvesting and shipment: Mid-September through early October.-   Shipping and handling qualities: Very good.

Although the new variety of grapevine possesses the describedcharacteristics noted above as a result of the growing conditionsprevailing in the central San Joaquin Valley of Calif., it is to beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, irrigation, fertilization,pruning, pest control, climatic variations and the like are to beexpected.

1. A new and distinct variety of grapevine substantially as illustratedand described which is somewhat remotely similar to the ‘Crimson’grapevine (not patented), but from which it is distinguished byproducing fruit which are mature for commercial harvesting and shipmentapproximately September 15^(th) through September 30^(th), or about two(2) to three (3) weeks before the ‘Crimson’ grapevine (not patented), inthe San Joaquin Valley of central Calif., and which produces largegrapes with more overall red coloration and more flavor.